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MIDDLE EAST | Updates from regional conflicts:

• Amidst implementation of the new cease-fire and withdrawal of Israeli troops, reports say Hamas appears to be asserting increased control over many areas of Gaza and that the militant group carried out multiple executions yesterday of men accused of collaborating with Israeli forces. [more]
• Palestinian health officials say six people died in two separate shootings in northern Gaza today when Israeli troops fired on several people who they claim crossed a demarcation line set as part of Israel's military withdrawal under the newly-brokered ceasefire. [more]

UKRAINE | Today is day 1,328 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Here are your updates:

• Regional authorities say an overnight Russian drone and glide-bomb attack struck Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, hitting a hospital and wounding seven people. Reports say about 50 patients were forced to evacuate the hospital and that energy infrastructure in the city was also targeted. [more]
• International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi is reported to be seeking an agreement with both Ukraine and Russia on a local cease-fire to allow external power to be restored to the Russia-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine. Safety and cooling systems at the plant have been operating on diesel generator power since external power lines were cut in fighting on September 23. [more]

U.S. GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN | Day 13. As congressional Democrats continue to insist on an extension of health care policy subsidies and Republicans backing a measure that temporarily maintains current spending levels, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested yesterday that the U.S. government is "barreling toward one of the longest shutdowns in American history." [more]

U.S. VOTING RIGHTS | The Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments tomorrow in a case brought by Louisiana and the Trump administration that seeks to do away with Louisiana's second majority-Black congressional district and invalidate the Voting Rights Act provision that allows taking race into account in congressional districting. [more]

U.S. PRESS | Several major news organizations confirmed yesterday that they will not sign a Defense Department document agreeing to access and coverage restrictions proposed by Secretary Pete Hegseth. Among the news agencies that confirmed they would not sign are: The Associated Press, Reuters, The New York Times, Newsmax, The Atlantic, and The Washington Post. In a statement released yesterday, the Pentagon Press Association said, "There is no need or justification ... to require reporters to affirm their understanding of vague, likely unconstitutional policies as a precondition to reporting from Pentagon facilities." [more]

U.S. POLITICS | Following recent similar actions in Texas, California, and Missouri, Republican legislative leaders in North Carolina announced plans yesterday to pursue congressional redistricting in their state to help secure more House seats for their party in the 2026 midterm elections. [more]

U.S. MEASLES | Public health officials in South Carolina say more than 150 schoolchildren who were not vaccinated against measles have been quarantined for 21 days after potential exposure to the disease. The action comes as the U.S. reports its highest number of measles cases in 30 years, with 1,563 confirmed cases so far this year. [more]

U.S. AND ARGENTINA | President Donald Trump and Argentine President Javier Milei are scheduled to meet today at the White House, with trade tariffs and the recently announced $20 billion U.S. bailout for Argentina expected to be among the main topics of discussion. [more]

U.S., CHINA, AND SOUTH KOREA | China's Commerce Ministry said today that it is banning Chinese companies from working with five U.S. subsidiaries of South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean over the company's involvement in an investigation into what the U.S. Trade Representative has called China’s growing dominance in world shipbuilding. [more]

U.S. AND MEXICO | Reuters cites unnamed Mexican officials as saying the U.S. has revoked the visas of at least 50 Mexican politicians and government officials as part of Trump administration actions against drug cartels and their alleged political allies. [more]

U.S. AND MALI | Mali's Foreign Affairs Ministry has announced that, in response to an identical measure enacted by the U.S. last week, it will require U.S. visa applicants to post a bond of up to $10,000. The U.S. Embassy in Mali cited high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, and foreign policy considerations as reasons behind the visa bond measure, which takes effect October 23. [more]

GLOBAL SHIPPING | Representatives of the world's largest maritime nations are meeting today at the London headquarters of the International Maritime Organization for discussions on adopting regulations that would decrease, over time, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions allowed from using shipping fuels and establish a pricing system that would impose fees for every ton of greenhouse gases emitted by ships above allowable limits. Reports note that the Trump administration has condemned the proposed regulations and suggested that the U.S. could retaliate against nations that support their adoption. [more]

MADAGASCAR | President Andry Rajoelina says he fled Madagascar yesterday in fear for his life after military units joined anti-government protests and called for Rajoelina and other government officials to resign. [more]

THAILAND AND CAMBODIA | Ahead of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations later this month, Malaysia and the U.S. are reported to be spearheading efforts to secure an expanded cease-fire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. [more]

MEXICO | Emergency officials say some 200 communities in five Mexican states remain cut off following weekend flooding that killed at least 64 people and left more than 65 missing. Reports say about 10,000 military troops have been deployed to work with civilian teams on rescue and recovery efforts. [more]

SOCCER | With a 3-0 win over Eswatini yesterday, the West African island nation of Cape Verde became the second-smallest country by population, after only Iceland, to qualify for the World Cup since the first tournament in 1930. [more]

ENTERTAINMENT | According to industry analytics company Luminate, Taylor Swift's “The Life of a Showgirl" sold 4.002 million album-equivalent units in its first week of availability, breaking the modern music industry record for first-week sales previously held by Adele's "25." [more]

TODAY IN HISTORY | On this date in 1066, in the Norman Conquest, William, Duke of Normandy, defeated King Harold II of England at the Battle of Hastings, establishing the Norman rule of England. [more] [more history]